When a child comes in experiencing significant weight loss, nutritional deficiency or a lack of interest in food, they may be diagnosed with an eating disorder like anorexia nervosa. However, these symptoms overlap with a newer DSM-5 diagnosis: Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID). Children with ARFID go beyond the phases of a picky eater and while they display similar signs of other eating disorders, there are tell-tale differences, including no evidence of negative thoughts on the child’s body or a desire to lose weight.

Valley Children’s VP of Academic Affairs and board certified in pediatric hospital medicine Dr. Jolie Limon hosts pediatric gastroenterologist Dr. Karla Au Yeung and pediatric psychologist Dr. Amanda Suplee in this episode of Valley Children’s Voice. Listen in as they discuss ARFID, how it differs from other eating disorders and the physical and psychological symptoms and risks.